The Billionaire Who Saved Me

Garrett decided to call Elice. No matter if she would be angry with him. What was most important to him right now was to know Elice’s condition. He had to make sure that Elice was all right.

Waiting with an uneasy feeling, Garrett closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief when Elice answered his call.

“Hello, Garrett.”

Elice’s voice calmed Garrett’s emotions. It made the restlessness that had been plaguing his mind calm down.

“Elice,” Garrett called. “How are you this morning? I…”

Garrett couldn’t finish his words. The growing guilt made him feel ashamed. How many times would he have to apologize to this woman?

“I’m fine.”

At least Elice’s words calmed Garrett’s feelings.

“Have you been to the office today? Are you working?”

“Of course. I took an impromptu leave for two days, Garrett. If it’s more than that, I think I’ll get a warning.”

Garrett understood. But he couldn’t imagine how much pressure Elice was under at work. With the news resurfacing, Elice was clearly backed into a corner once again.

“I know my apology will not be enough, Elice. But I really do apologize to you for what happened this morning.”

A moment of silence. Only the faint sound of Elice’s breathing could be heard on the other end. And then those words with a low tone landed in Garrett’s ears.

“I know. It’s not your fault, Garrett. None of us wanted to be in this situation. And I have to apologize to you as well.”

“For?”

“My accusation yesterday.”

Garrett fell silent.

“I shouldn’t have said that to you. I should have understood that you were in a difficult situation just like me. Especially… this situation puts you at odds with Ariel.”

Garrett felt a little uncomfortable when he heard Elice mention Ariel. As if a sudden bitterness arose. But Garrett held it back.

“You’re not to blame for anything that happened between Ariel and me,” Garrett said afterwards with a heavy voice. “Our relationship has not been good for a long time.”

And the already strained relationship became even more tense when Elice appeared between them. But what could Garrett do? He hadn’t expected that fate would involve them in such a chaotic situation.

“I’m sorry.”

Reassuring Elice once more, Garrett made sure that she had nothing to worry about regarding her situation. Instead, Elice’s well-being was the most important thing at that moment.

“I know my words may sound empty. But I hope you’re all right, Elice. Take care of your health, and if you need anything…” Garrett took a deep breath. “… just contact me.”

Garrett’s words made Elice on the other end of the line freeze. As soon as she ended the call, her face fell. She stared at her phone, silent and speechless. Until the figure sitting in front of her spoke first.

“I don’t understand why Garrett is involved with a woman like you. I really don’t.”

Elice swallowed. Her face looked pale and sweat began to trickle down her back under the shirt she was wearing.

“But now that I think about it, maybe that’s not so unusual. Considering who Garrett’s father is. He is also attracted to women more or less like you.”

Like me?

The grin begged to be let out, but Elice tried to hold it back. She tried to calm herself and told herself in her heart that this wasn’t the first time she’d been treated like this.

The first, of course, was Farrah talking about how low she was when she had a relationship with Ariel. It had been a year ago. But the memory would always stay with her. It wouldn’t fade as much as the days had passed.

And the second was…

Elice lifted her face. She looked at Daphne, who seemed to be crouching with her back against the sofa. Behind the glasses she wore, Daphne stared at Elice. With eyes that alternately moved up and down. As if examining the woman’s appearance.

“I know my apologies will not be enough. But I didn’t mean to cause this mess.”

Daphne’s eyes rolled dramatically. “This is more than a mess. You were Ariel’s ex-girlfriend, and then you got involved with Garrett. And just when Garrett is gaining power, embarrassing news like this keeps popping up. Do you know the consequences for Garrett?”

Silently, Elice couldn’t answer the question.

“Garrett will be looked down upon. People will ridicule him. And in the midst of all this, you lose almost nothing.”

Elice snorted in disbelief. Her hand rose and thumped her chest.

“You think I lose nothing?” Elice asked bitterly. “I lose as well, Madam. My name is ruined by this news. And I’m sure you understand that more than anyone, because you are a woman, too.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Daphne’s exhale was longer than usual. Her expression seemed unreadable.

“Well, what do you expect when your name is actually in ruins right now?” Daphne asked, staring at Elice without blinking. “Responsibility?”

“Responsibility?”

The bitter feeling that Elice had felt before returned. A bitterness that reminded her of the baby and the eviction that had shattered her in such a short time. Ironically, she encountered similar words now. Maybe from a different person, but unfortunately from the same blood. It almost made Elice wonder in her mind.

Is this really a tradition in this family?

Elice took a quick breath. She needed oxygen to stay calm. Because if she would have cried when the word “responsibility” appeared before, it’s a different story now. She would endure.

“I don’t need responsibility,” Elice said firmly. “I don’t need money. I don’t need possessions. And I don’t need anything from any of you.”

Daphne’s aging face, already showing signs of sagging, seemed to add more wrinkles to her forehead. Elice’s firmness kept her silent.

“I just need time. And I need you all to disappear from my life. That’s more than enough.”

Daphne nodded. “I know. That’s clearly what you need right now. But don’t forget something, Elice.”

“Forget something?”

“That you’re not the only victim here. Garrett is a victim too.”

Elice didn’t understand what Daphne meant, although she could sense it. The news of the last three days had indeed affected both of them, not only Elice.

And when it came to the extent of the loss, it was ironic. However, Elice could guess that Garrett had suffered even more than she had. Not to exaggerate, but Garrett’s position made him go through all this.

“What do you mean, Madam?”

Daphne rose from the sofa. With her hands released from their clasped position, she seemed to take an urgent stance towards Elice.

“Take responsibility for Garrett,” Daphne replied. “Marry him.”

*